Hose attachment storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments. The storage apparatus comprises an elongated trunk member that includes at least one branch member having a portion that extends in non-parallel relation with the trunk member and a portion configured for insertion into an end of a garden hose attachment for supportably storing the garden hose attachment on the at least one branch member. The storage apparatus may also further include one or more attachment apparatus for securing the trunk member to a structure such as the surface of the earth, a fence, a tree, a wall, etc.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority from U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/488,993, that was filed on Jul. 22, 2003, and that isentitled “HOSE ATTACHMENT TREE.” The entire disclosure of U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/488,993 is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to the field of garden hoses, and inparticular, to an apparatus for the simple convenient storage of gardenhose attachments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hoses, such as a garden hoses used in commercial and home applicationsare extremely versatile, and as such, have become the target for avariety of accessories designed for different purposes. Some examples ofthese accessories include attachments such as spray nozzles, lawnsprinklers, gardening wands, etc., referred to herein generally asgarden hose attachments. Because of the sheer diversity and usefulnessof these attachments, it is very typical for an owner of a hose to ownseveral attachments.

As will be appreciated, the convenient storage of these attachments canoften be difficult. At least one difficulty lies in the design of astorage system to accommodate the variety of different shapes and sizesof the various attachments. As a result the attachments are oftendiscarded on the ground after use, where they may become lost ordamaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a primary object of the present invention isto provide simple convenient storage apparatus for garden hoseattachments. Another object of the present invention is to provide astorage apparatus for garden hose attachments that can be used with anytype of hose accessory or attachment that is designed for connection toa garden hose. Another object of the present invention is to provide asimple and convenient means for securing the storage apparatus at adesirable location to a structure such as the surface of the earth, afence, a wall, a tree, etc.

One or more of the above objectives and additional advantages may berealized by a first aspect of the present invention, which provides astorage apparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments. Thestorage apparatus includes an elongated trunk member that includes atleast one branch member. The at least one branch member includes aportion that extends in non-parallel relation from the trunk member anda portion configured for insertion into a female end of a garden hoseattachment for supportably storing the garden hose attachment on the atleast one branch member. The apparatus further includes an attachmentmeans for securing the trunk member to a structure such as the surfaceof the earth, a fence, a wall, a tree, etc.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to thesubject first aspect of the present invention. Further features may alsobe incorporated in the subject first aspect of the present invention aswell. These refinements and additional features may exist individuallyor in any combination. For instance according to a first feature, theapparatus may include a plurality of branch members for the storage of aplurality of garden hose attachments. In this regard, the branch membersmay be integrally formed as a part of the trunk member or alternativelymay be separate structures connectable in a detachable manner to thetrunk member. In the latter case another feature of the present aspectincludes the ability to adjust the spacing between the branch members byconnecting the branch members at different vertical elevations along thetrunk member.

According to another feature of the present invention, the storageapparatus is configured with multiple means for securing the storageapparatus to a structure such as the surface of the earth, a fence, awall, a tree, etc. In a first example, the trunk member may include atapered first end to facilitate driving the trunk member into the groundat a desired location. In another example, the tapered first end mayinclude threads to facilitate screwing the trunk member into the groundat a desired location. In another example, the trunk member may includea tapered first end and a hook or loop located in a distal end of thetrunk member to provide a means for securing the trunk member to a wall,a fence, a tree, etc. In another example, the trunk member may include atapered first end, a hook or loop located in a distal end, and aplurality of apertures located along the trunk member to provide a meansfor screwing the trunk member to a wall, a fence, a tree, etc.

According to another feature of the present invention, the branchmembers are configured for slideable insertion into a female end of agarden hose attachment. Advantageously, the branch members provide asimple threadless method for locating and store such attachments. Inthis regard, the branch members may include a coating or cap applied totheir tip portion. Advantageously, the coating or caps minimize thepotentially sharp edge of the tip portion of the branch members frombeing presented to a user or casual passerby.

According to another feature of the present invention, the storageapparatus may be integrated or connected to a garden hose storage deviceto provide a single storage location for a garden hose and the numerousattachments for the same.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous other examples of thebasic principles of the present invention, namely, providing a simpleconvenient storage apparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments.Furthermore, additional aspects, advantages and applications of thepresent invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a storage apparatus for the storage of garden hoseattachments according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the storageapparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention;and

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at leastassist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presentinvention. In this regard, the following description is presented forpurposes of illustration and description. The description is notintended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with thefollowing teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedherein are further intended to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of a storageapparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments according to thepresent invention, namely storage apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG.1, the storage apparatus 100 is configured to provide a storagestructure for garden hose attachments, such as attachments 102, 104,106, and 108. The storage apparatus 100 may be used with any type ofgarden hose accessory that includes a conventional garden hose typefitting. Advantageously, the storage apparatus 100 provides a low costsimple and convenient storage apparatus for garden hose attachments,such as attachments 102, 104, 106, and 108. As will be appreciated fromthe following description, the storage apparatus 100 may be driven intothe ground using a hammer or similar instrument, at a locationconvenient to a user. Alternatively, the storage apparatus 100 may bemounted or secured to a structure such as a fence, a wall, a tree, etc.as described herein below.

With reference to FIG. 2, the storage apparatus 100 includes anelongated trunk member 110 having at least one and preferably, aplurality of branch members extending outward therefrom, as illustratedby branch members 112, 114, and 116. It will be appreciated that branchmembers 112, 114, and 116, are provided for the purpose of illustrationand that additional or fewer branch members may be included on thestorage apparatus 100 as a matter of design choice. In this regard, thebranch members 112, 114, and 116 may be separate structures from thetrunk member 110 that are attachable to the trunk member 110 usinghardware such as screws or nuts and bolts (not shown). Alternatively,the branch members 112, 114, and 116, may be integrally formed as a partof the trunk member 110 during manufacturing. In the former case, itwill be appreciated that the trunk member 110 may also includeadditional mounting holes (illustrated in FIG. 6) so that a user may addadditional branch members, e.g. 112, to the trunk member 110 as the needarises, e.g. upon acquiring additional garden hose attachments, such asattachments 102, 104, etc., illustrated on FIG. 1.

The branch members 112, 114, and 116 each define a pair of mounting pegs118 and 120 that extend outward from the trunk member 110 insubstantially opposite directions. The mounting pegs 118 and 120 areeach configured to receive a garden hose attachment thereon asillustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, the mounting pegs 118 and 120 aredesigned to receive a female portion of a hose attachment, such asattachment 104, in a slideable manner thereon. Advantageously, themounting pegs 118 and 120 provide a threadless method for supporting andstoring hose attachments 102, 104, 106 and 108 etc. Also advantageously,the mounting pegs 118 and 120 provide easy and convenient access to thevarious hose attachments, e.g. 104, stored thereon. Yet anotheradvantage of the tree style design of the present storage apparatus 100is that the branch members 112, 114, and 116, permit hose attachments tobe draped across or hung on over them as well as supported by the femaleend of the attachment, e.g. 104.

Operationally, a user selects a desired location for the storageapparatus 100. The storage apparatus 100 may then be detachably locatedby driving an end into the ground using a hammer or other means.Thereafter, the user may select an attachment for use by simply slidingit off of a respective mounting peg, e.g. 118, and upon completion ofits use, slide the attachment 104 back onto its respective mounting peg118.

With reference to FIG. 3, it is desirable that the mounting pegs, e.g.118 extend outward relative to the trunk member 110 and angle upwardrelative to the horizon or top 300 of the trunk member 110. This in turnfacilitates the support of the hose attachments, e.g. 104 on themounting pegs, e.g. 118 using gravitational force. In this regard, it isdesirable but not necessary that the upward angle σ between then trunkmember 110 and the mounting pegs, e.g. 118, be greater than 900 degrees.In particular, it is desirable that the angle σ be in the range of atleast 900 to 1800 and more preferably in the range of 1100 to 1750 andeven more preferably approximately 135°.

With reference to FIG. 4, according to another feature of the presentinvention, the storage apparatus 100 may include a tapered end 400 tofacilitate driving of the trunk member 110 into the ground at a desiredlocation. Further in this regard, the tapered end 400 may also includethreads, such as threads 402, so that the storage apparatus 100 may bescrewed into the ground or driven into the ground. It will beappreciated, that advantageously in the later case, no additional tools,such as a hammer, are required for locating and securing the storageapparatus 100 in the ground.

With reference to FIG. 5, according to another feature of the presentinvention, the storage apparatus 100 may include a means such as loop orhook 500 for hanging the storage apparatus 100 on a structure such as afence or a wall (not shown). As illustrated on FIG. 5, the storageapparatus 100 may be configured with both the loop or hook 500 and thetapered or threaded end 400 to provide users with the option of eithersecuring the storage apparatus 100 in the ground or to a fence, a wall,or other structure.

With reference to FIG. 6, according to another feature of the presentinvention, the storage apparatus 100 may include a plurality ofapertures, e.g. apertures 600, 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, and 612,referred to herein as apertures 600-612. In one example, according tothe present feature, apertures 600-612 may be utilized to secure thestorage apparatus 100 to a fence, a wall, or other structure usingscrews or other means. In another example according to the presentfeature, the apertures 600-612 may also be utilized to add additionalbranch members, e.g. 112, to the trunk member 110 as desired by a user.In still yet another example of the present feature, the apertures600-612 may be utilized to adjust the spacing between the branch members112, 114, and 116, to accommodate larger garden hose attachments. Forinstance, it may be desirable to move the branch member 114 down towardthe branch member 116 to provide a larger spacing between the branchmembers 112 and 114 to accommodate larger garden hose attachments, e.g.106, on the mounting pegs 118 and 120. In this regard, as noted abovethe branch members, e.g. 112, may be connected to the trunk member 110by bolts such that the branch members may be relocated along the trunkmember 110 as desired by a user. As with the above feature, the storageapparatus 100 may be configured with the apertures 600-612, the loop orhook 500, and the tapered or threaded end 400 to provide a user withvarious options for securing the storage apparatus 100.

FIG. 7, illustrates another embodiment of a storage apparatus for thestorage of garden hose attachments according to the present invention,namely storage apparatus 700. As with the storage apparatus 100, thestorage apparatus 700 includes a trunk member 702 and at least one andpreferably a plurality of branch members as illustrated by branchmembers 704 and 706. In this regard, the storage apparatus 700 issubstantially similar to the storage apparatus 100 with the exception ofthe branch members 704 and 706. According to this embodiment, the branchmembers 704 and 706 are integrally formed into the trunk member 702 as asingle unit. In addition, the branch members 704 and 706 are configuredslightly different than the branch members, e.g. 112, of the storageapparatus 100, to illustrate additional possible configurationsaccording to the present invention. In this regard, it will beappreciated that the branch members 704 and 706 may be configured innumerous different designs so long as they provide at least one mountingpeg, e.g. 708, that maintains a spatial and angular orientation relativeto the trunk member 702 to receive and support a garden houseattachment, e.g. 104, thereon.

According to another feature of the present embodiment, the mountingpegs, e.g. 708, 710, 712, and 714 may each include a coating or cap 716,718, 720, and 722 applied to their tip portion. The coating or caps 716,718, 720, and 722 may be applied via a dipping process or theapplication of a secondary part fabricated of plastic, rubber, orsimilar material. Advantageously, the coating or caps 716, 718, 720, and722 minimize the potentially sharp edge of the tip of the mounting pegs708, 710, 712, and 714, from being presented to a user or casualpasserby.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present inventiondisclosed herein may be constructed from metal, plastic or a similarlysuitable material, fabricated by means of precutting rod-stock,injection molding, stamping, or other appropriate manufacturingtechnique.

An extension of the present invention involves attachment of the storageapparatus 100 or 700 to a suitable surface on commercially availablegarden accessory used for mounting garden hoses. In this way thefunction of the existing device is further enhanced by having thecapability to store hose attachments as well as a hose.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of theabove-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples andillustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A storage apparatus for the storage of garden hose attachments, theapparatus comprising: an elongated trunk member; at least one branchmember, wherein at least a first portion of the at least one branchmember extends in non-parallel relation from the trunk member andwherein a second portion of the at least one branch member is configuredfor insertion into an end of a garden hose attachment for supportablystoring the garden hose attachment on the at least one branch member;and an attachment apparatus for securing the trunk member to astructure.
 2. The storage apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a pluralityof branch members, wherein at least a first portion of each of theplurality of branch members extends in non-parallel relation from thetrunk member and wherein a second portion of each of the plurality ofbranch members is configured for insertion into an end of the gardenhose attachment for supportably storing the garden hose attachmentthereon.
 3. The storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second portionof the at least one branch member extends from the first portion of theat least one branch member in parallel relation with the trunk member.4. The storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one branchmember is connectable to the trunk member in a detachable manner.
 5. Thestorage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one branch member isconnectable to the trunk member at a plurality of vertical positionsalong the trunk member.
 6. The storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein theattachment apparatus comprises a tapered end to facilitate driving thetrunk member into the surface of the earth.
 7. The storage apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the attachment apparatus comprises a plurality ofapertures, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is configured toreceive a respective one of a plurality of fasteners for securing thetrunk member to at least one of a wall, a fence, and a tree.
 8. Thestorage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment apparatus comprisesone of a loop and a hook configured to receive a fastener for securingthe trunk member to at least one of a wall, a fence, and a tree.
 9. Astorage apparatus for storage of garden hose attachments, the apparatuscomprising: an elongated trunk member; at least one mounting pegextending outward from the trunk member, wherein the at least onemounting peg is configured for insertion into a female end of a gardenhose attachment for supportably storing the garden hose attachment onthe at least one mounting peg; and an attachment apparatus for securingthe trunk member to a structure.
 10. The storage apparatus of claim 9wherein the at least one branch member is connectable to the trunkmember in a detachable manner.
 11. The storage apparatus of claim 9wherein the plurality of branch members are connectable to the trunkmember at a plurality of vertical positions along the trunk member. 12.The storage apparatus of claim 9 wherein the attachment apparatuscomprises a tapered end to facilitate driving the trunk member into thesurface of the earth.
 13. The storage apparatus of claim 9 wherein theattachment apparatus comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein each ofthe plurality of apertures is configured to receive a respective one ofa plurality of fasteners for securing the trunk member to at least oneof a wall, a fence, and a tree.
 14. The storage apparatus of claim 9wherein the attachment apparatus comprises one of a loop and a hookconfigured to receive a fastener for securing the trunk member to atleast one of a wall, a fence, and a tree.